A failed architect, then an apprentice with a passion for pastry, and finally a world champion and pastry chef at Ducasse. Christophe Michalak's career has been crowned with success, and today he is opening the most eagerly awaited coffee bar in Paris.
The news
When a visionary pastry chef decides to lay down his “super-héros sucré” wand in an iconic luxury shopping destination, the result is bound to be spectacular. From September 17, Printemps Haussmann, the Parisian temple of elegance, welcomes Christophe Michalak's first coffee shop: a 160-square-meter gourmet haven that promises to rewrite the language of desserts with lightness, creativity, and that touch of madness that has always characterized the French pastry chef's career.
Christophe Michalak's career path has never been linear: as a teenager, he dreamed of attending the Beaux-Arts and becoming an architect, but life led him toward another form of construction, that of desserts. After an apprenticeship in Cholet and his first international experiences at the Hilton in London, in Brussels, and at the famous Negresco in Nice, the turning point came in Paris with Fauchon, where he met Pierre Hermé, a figure destined to influence his growth.
Japan and New York fascinate him with their gastronomic cultures, and at just 26 years old, he receives a call that changes his life: Alain Ducasse wants him as Chef Pâtissier at the Plaza Athénée. From there, things start moving at a dizzying pace. In 2005, he wins the title of World Pastry Champion, followed by books, television programs, the Michalak Masterclass (2013), and the opening of boutiques that have made his signature recognizable even beyond French borders. On the ground floor of Printemps de l'Homme, among shop windows displaying fashion and luxury goods, a different kind of oasis comes to life: the Michalak Coffee Shop. Designed by architect Marie Deroudilhe, who also designed the master's latest Parisian boutiques, the space exudes minimalist sophistication, where light, natural materials, and modern touches interact with the atmosphere of the department store.
The idea is not to create just any refreshment point, but rather a bubble of calm amid the hustle and bustle of the city: a place where you can enjoy a delicious break, surrounded by the aroma of freshly ground coffee and pastries that look like works of art. These three words are not just a slogan, but Christophe Michalak's guiding principle. Each of his creations is the result of a constant search for harmony between taste, aesthetics, and lightness. At the coffee shop, visitors will find a range of offerings from crispy viennoiseries to warm brioches, from gâteaux de voyage to savory options designed for any time of day.
Of course, coffee is also on the menu, alongside selected teas and cold drinks, in a menu that blends tradition and modernity with the master's unmistakable touch. Among the most eagerly awaited new additions, Michalak has chosen to unveil to the public an idea that is as simple as it is revolutionary: mini flans. These small portions condense the essence of one of the French's most beloved desserts, transforming it into a light, modern bite, ready to be enjoyed anywhere. Flan is a dessert that speaks to childhood: that guardian of memories made of cream, eggs, and vanilla, trembling in the windows of neighborhood pastry shops. Michalak reimagines it without distorting it, restoring its dignity and glamour in a format that nods to the fast pace of city life. It is an invention that, despite its simplicity, carries on his mission: to make pastries rock ‘n’ roll, sensual, and accessible.
Although he lives amid the luminous landscapes of Provence, Michalak maintains an unbreakable bond with Paris. Each new project brings him back here, where the energy of the capital fuels his creativity. The coffee shop at Printemps Haussmann represents not only another milestone in his career, but also a gesture of love toward the city that made him famous. The Michalak Coffee Shop will be open continuously from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Sunday. The entrance is located at 2 rue du Havre, 75009 Paris, inside Printemps Haussmann – Printemps de l'Homme.
